A Pizza-Happy Date Spot in Russian Hill

Welcome Gioia Pizzeria, an upscale, New York–style pizzeria coming to us by way of Berkeley,
cooking thin-crust pies with a little Italian whimsy, opening Wednesday on Polk Street.

Brought to you by two Oliveto vets from Brooklyn, this is the kind of rustic eatery where you’ll take a
homesick New York transplant for a bite in Russian Hill.

If you’re familiar with the original Berkeley locale, expect the opposite. Instead of a takeout joint with
stools, you’ll enter a
big subway-tiled space with reclaimed-barn-wood-covered walls and rustic metal light fixtures hanging
over dark wood tables, where you’ll probably sit during lunch with a slice of pepperoni or a muffuletta
hero.

When you come at night, you’ll find a slightly more formal vibe (as in date-appropriate), but you’ll do
best by taking over the long marble bar and kicking things off with some chianti.

And while we’d steer you toward the funghi pie, you can opt for dishes like spaghetti with clams or steak
with fried smashed potatoes.